How To Keep Salvation
8 insightful steps to maintain salvation.
I’ve had many questions regarding salvation. What is its definition? Can we lose our salvation? If we can’t, why do people go to hell? If possible, how do we intend to maintain it?
Well, the definition of salvation is: deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ. So if it’s brought about by faith in Jesus Christ, then that’s how you acquire it. Though I’ve also heard people say, “But it’s a gift from God, you shouldn’t have to do anything to acquire it, right?” I don’t find that to be true. Salvation is a gift freely offered to the world by Jesus Christ, but to receive the gift, we must have faith. If we don’t have faith, we don’t have salvation, because how can you have a gift you’ve rejected? So, yes, those who have faith in Jesus Christ have the gift of salvation, and those who rejected Jesus’ gift don’t have salvation, because they didn’t want it. But I believe it is possible to later accept salvation from Christ, through repentance and belief. God tells us in Romans 10:9 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” and in other parts of the bible God says similar things, like in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” and in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” In short, it’s been made clear that we can only have salvation if we have faith. There was a preacher who spoke on it in a shortened way, but he gave helpful steps on how to keep your salvation, and though Derek Prince is no longer here, his preaching is, and it’s insightful.
Make Jesus Lord.
The first step in keeping our salvation is making Jesus Lord, which means letting Jesus occupy every aspect of your life. Get rid of all idols, whether it be a famous person, money, hair, nails, piercings, or even yourself. Give it all away and give yourself to God, making Jesus Lord. (Romans 10:9)
2. Wear the Garment of Praise.
The Bible calls us to wear the garment of praise. Isaiah 61:3 “to grant those who mourn Zion- to give them a beautiful head dress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.” We should give praise to God every day and in every situation, good or bad. Praise helps us stay connected to God and helps us keep focused on Him. If we don’t keep the garment of praise on, we have a faint spirit, and we become spiritually weak and vulnerable to the attacks of Satan.
Put on the Full Armor of God.
In Ephesians 6:14-17, it tells us to put on the full armor of God, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one: and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” The full armor of God helps us to stand against the devil, to fortify our minds and to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. The bible doesn’t instruct us this for nothing; we are meant to apply it, because we alone are weak-minded and unguarded.
Live by God’s Word.
Do not live by feeling alone, because the heart is deceitful. Instead, live in the order of facts to faith to feeling, where facts are in the word of God, faith believes in the facts, and the feelings fall into line after. But living by God’s word does not mean that we can’t have emotions; in fact, emotions are part of worshiping God, but it’s important to separate our good emotions from our sinful ones (bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice, etc.), and to live in accordance with God’s word. (Emotion can lead us to sin- Genesis 4:2-6 & Do not be led by emotions- Proverbs 19:2)
Submit to God and Then Resist the Devil.
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This is just one of the many verses that tell us about praise. We praise God to worship Him, and by doing so, we make the devil flee.” The bible puts it in that order for a very specific reason, and cannot be done in reverse. We must submit to God and THEN resist the devil. How can we resist the devil without God?
Have the Right Fellowship.
In 1 John 1:7, it tells us “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” The Lord reveals to us that if we walk in the light as Jesus did and try to be like him, we will find fellowship with the Lord and with others through him. Iron sharpens iron, so be wise about who you choose to be friends with. Do not let others who claim to be your “friends” cause you to sin.
Come Under Discipline
When people think of discipline, they more often than not think of working out to stay in shape or working hard in school/work. But as Christians, discipline is to read the bible and apply it to daily life. Discipline involves instruction and training with God and the bible, read it, apply it, and tell others about it. Now, because of this, do not see the bible as a rule book, but rather as a guide. Remember, God gives us free will to do what we please, but everything we do will have a consequence, good or bad. 1 Samuel 15:23 states, “For rebellion is the sin of divination and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” Divination refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future through things such as magic, soothsaying, and consulting spirits, so basically, witchcraft. God tells us that the sin of rebelling is equivalent to witchcraft because both ultimately have underlying themes to defy God’s will, so do not rebel (knowing the word and still choosing to do otherwise).
Make Jesus Central
In John 12:31-32, Jesus tells us, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” When you make Jesus central your life will change. Driving out Satan and filling your heart with God by making Jesus central will allow a spiritual transformation, letting peace and protection come to you through God. You will have hope and a sense of purpose.
